Has your opinion on electric vehicles changed in the last few years?

[BCoetzer]

Has your opinion on electric vehicles changed in the last few years?

 

[R4ziel]

Drove one a while ago, even though it was just a short distance it was pretty amazing, whenever I buy a new car I might opt to go hybrid or even full EV

 

[FiestaST]

Well there's a frowned upon benefit with Tesla cabbies these days, if you're that way inclined:



I don't condone but you do you.

 

[s0lar]

Title should be changed to only include those that have driven an EV.

Can’t dis what you haven’t tried or it’s just misguided prejudice.

I am converted after being behind the wheel of one.

 

[wbot]

Don't hate them, don't necessarily like them either. Just uninterested.

 

[Brian_G]

Stupid idea for SA, and the world markets are trying to force them on everyone and that for exaggerated reasoning, so like them less. But they still hold some interest / value.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I was ready to go all in on EV, being a fully solar powered household it makes a lot of sense, but just couldn’t find a deal that quite worked for me.

So settled on the Hybrid and if anything it has sold me on EV as my next car without a doubt.

And it’s not even about not paying for petrol, but how it drives instead.

 

[Hanno Labuschagne]

Title should be changed to only include those that have driven an EV.

Can’t dis what you haven’t tried or it’s just misguided prejudice.

I am converted after being behind the wheel of one.

I share that sentiment. I reckon very few people who have actually driven an EV would not want one, especially for regular commuting and in-city driving. Long-distance is possible with planning but still not a simple matter.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

I think they have been overdone and overhyped for decades, becuase they havent figured out how to make them profitable.
like an ICE car is.

why do you need cameras and lidar and self drive and 100 sensors with software controlling everything,

when what you actually need is basically the Model T all over again,
a skateboard chassis, with motors and axles ect, batteries that can be charged or swapped,
can put whatever body style you want, with a simple connector for the controls,
batteries that swap out or can be charged anywhere, simple basic systems anybody can work on

who knows a bit of coding and configuration, and make it reliable enough to operate even in the harshest environments

the reason we dont get for instance EV Taxis for instance is you cant fix it when it breaks in gugulethu.
or tembisa or alex, and if you can only fix it with mega bucks, nobody will buy it.

I think the target market needs to shift from Rich people to everybody else
just like it did when ICE cars were a thing only rich people brought, to something everybody could afford.

 

[FiestaST]

Title should be changed to only include those that have driven an EV.

Can’t dis what you haven’t tried or it’s just misguided prejudice.

I am converted after being behind the wheel of one.

This is actually a neutral intelligent viewpoint, well done.

 

[FiestaST]

I think they have been overdone and overhyped for decades, becuase they havent figured out how to make them profitable.
like an ICE car is.

why do you need cameras and lidar and self drive and 100 sensors with software controlling everything,

when what you actually need is basically the Model T all over again,
a skateboard chassis, with motors and axles ect, batteries that can be charged or swapped,
can put whatever body style you want, with a simple connector for the controls,
batteries that swap out or can be charged anywhere, simple basic systems anybody can work on

who knows a bit of coding and configuration, and make it reliable enough to operate even in the harshest environments

the reason we dont get for instance EV Taxis for instance is you cant fix it when it breaks in gugulethu.
or tembisa or alex, and if you can only fix it with mega bucks, nobody will buy it.

I think the target market needs to shift from Rich people to everybody else
just like it did when ICE cars were a thing only rich people brought, to something everybody could afford.

Sorry I had to:

 

[Ecco]

Price really still the barrier to entry for me, no point looking at them when most are just too expensive compared to their petrol counterparts. Yes you can counter with the cost saving buying less petrol, but it probably needs a decade more to become more mainstream and more affordable.

For now its for the rich okes mostly

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Sorry I had to:

View attachment 1808680

back in the early 20th century, this is exactly what made cars so expensive, up until the model T came into being.

 

[Scuderia1]

moved to a Hybrid and actually love the car, the way it drivers, the silence (no engine noise while cruising or sitting in traffic)

 

[konfab]

Problem with EVs is they are simply too expensive. I am sure they are very nice to drive, but the simple reality is that they are not good value for money.

What needs to happen is battery replacement and refurbishment needs to become a standardised item that a local repair shop will be able to do. Then having a car with like 200k km on it doesn't really make a difference because mechanically it will still be fine.

But car companies will never want that because it will tank their business.

 

[Benedict A55h0le not]

EVs are expensive, but so too are ICE cars. The reality is that private cars are too expensive for the middle class these days, it is becoming a luxury only the rich can afford. Public transport will have to be used more. Too bad for SA.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

A flawed question with flawed answers. I selected "other". My opinion hasn't changed, some cars are good some cars are not so good and I don't blanket "like" or "dislike" ALL electric vehicles.

 

[Smiggles]

Other: Robotaxis are the future

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Problem with EVs is they are simply too expensive. I am sure they are very nice to drive, but the simple reality is that they are not good value for money.

What needs to happen is battery replacement and refurbishment needs to become a standardised item that a local repair shop will be able to do. Then having a car with like 200k km on it doesn't really make a difference because mechanically it will still be fine.

But car companies will never want that because it will tank their business.

hence why I say they targeted at the rich too much, just like the first ICE cars were back in the 1900's
who could afford a Car back then? maybe rockafeller, or some oil tycoon, but somebody earning a standard wage could never hope to afford a car, never in his wildest dreams.

same like Cellphones, they were hilariously expensive to own, when they first came out, just like the personal computer or Television sets, or whatever you can think of.

until they make them cheap enough for anybody to buy, reliable enough for people to use daily and repairable enough that anybody can fix them I dont think they will succeed.

can it be done? you betcha, will it be done, Hell no, they like putting 100 cameras and proprietary systems into an EV to make it expensive to own and operate reliably, when this is the wrong move, IMO

an EV could be made a lot better, as its so simple, you could go from humble Hyundai Getz to insane Convertible sports car, back to Hyundai Getz all in the same afternoon, if the body was able to be detached and reattached quite easily,

CoachWorking could make a comeback, especially if there was a set standard all these body styles adhered to,
same with the controls, steering wheel placement, seats, ect ect....

all you actually own is the Skateboard chassis with the drive motors, axles, brakes (not strictly needed),
batteries you lease, and can be swapped out easily or charged overnight,

all you put on the car is the chassis with the style you want, and the configuration of everything else, and your done,

unfortunatly like like the GM EV1, that died a sad death, no profit margin in something as hilariously simple like this,
so cameras and software and self drive and junk and rubbish nobody wants or needs. all to preserve the profit margin from an EV,


that needs no maintenance, no oil, plugs, gearboxes, cooling or anything really.

 

[JabiRider]

The only electric vehicle I've ever driven was a bumper car.

I am not a petrolhead and a car is a mode of transport for me.

There is a maximum price I am willing to pay for a car. Thus far EV's have been way more expensive than I am willing to pay. If an EV hits the market, and it is within my price range, I will consider it.